POOJA KHANNA vs UNION OF INDIA

Judgment text excerpt

$~120 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI W.P.(C) 5091/2025 Date of Decision: 16.03.2026 IN THE MATTER OF: POOJA KHANNA .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Mahboob Inayati and Mr.Shoaib Khan, Advocates. versus UNION OF INDIA .....Respondent Through: Ms. Radhika Bishwajit Dubey, CGSC along with Ms Gurleen Kaur Waraich, Mr. Kritarth Upadhyay & Mr. Saksham Sharma, Advocates CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV JUDGEMENT PURUSHAINDRA KUMAR KAURAV, J. (ORAL) 1. The present petition seeks a direction to the respondent-Ministry of Law and Justice to issue a Notary Practice Certificate to the petitioner. 2. It appears that vide notification dated 15th March, 2024 issued by the respondent, the petitioner was provisionally appointed as a notary, subject to verification of her eligibility, documents, and payment of requisite fees. Pursuant thereto, the petitioner submitted the documents and paid the requisite fees. The petitioner had also disclosed, on affidavit, about the Signature Not Verified Signature Not Verified Signed By:NEHA CHOPRA Signed Signing Date:19.03.2026 By:PURUSHAINDRA 17:32:49 KUMAR KAURAV pendency of a criminal case against her in the Patiala House Courts. 3. Since the Notary Practice Certificate was not issued to the petitioner, therefore, she has approached this Court. 4. On notice being issued, the respondent has filed its counter affidavit. It is stated therein that the case which is pending against the petitioner concerns offences under Sections 419, 420, 467, 471 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 („IPC’). The respondent, therefore, contends that a person of unimpeachable character should only be appointed as Notary. Since a case is pending against the petitioner, therefore, she cannot be appointed. 5. Additionally, Ms. Radh